March: Historic wins and personal bests
2024 Year in Review, part 3
First Team
27.12.2024, 09:07
Another year is coming to an end: 12 eventful months of both highs and lows, along with plenty of memorable moments for FC Augsburg. It's time to once more reflect on the past 365 days. In part three of FCA's Year in Review, we look back on March.
League action: The new month began with a huge victory! A fast start at last-placed SV Darmstadt 98 saw FCA eventually win 6-0. It was the first time that the club had scored as many goals in a Bundesliga away game, with five coming in the first 30 minutes alone – also a club record and the third-most in league history.
Phillip Tietz and Ermedin Demirović each scored twice, with Ruben Vargas and Fredrik Jensen also getting on the scoresheet. They were Demirović’s 13th and 14th goals of the campaign, a new record for the club in a top-flight campaign. Overall, FCA’s captain was on 23 goal contributions for the season at that stage, the second most in the division (14 goals, 9 assists).
FC Augsburg were also able to taste victory at home. The WWK ARENA, sold out with 30,660 fans in attendance, saw Jess Thorup’s team win 1-0 against 1. FC Heidenheim on matchday 25. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw got the only goal of the game with his first of the season.
FCA then secured a fourth straight victory, winning at VfL Wolfsburg, to equal the club record – this had only been done once before in the club’s 13 years in the Bundesliga. After Arne Maier’s deflected free-kick drew Augsburg level, a brace from Kristijan Jakić earned all three points at the Volkswagen Arena (3-1). It also saw FCA pick up their 500th point in the top flight.
Augsburg continued their unbeaten run on Easter Sunday, drawing 1-1 against 1. FC Köln despite being the better side. Arne Maier got his second goal of the season.
International duty: The first international break of the year was in March and six FCA first-team players were called up to represent their nations: Arne Engels (Belgium), Ruben Vargas, Kevin Mbabu (both Switzerland), Mert Kömür (Germany U19s), Fredrik Jensen (Finland) and Ermedin Demirović (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Jensen and Demirović both missed out on qualification for EURO 2024 in Germany, losing in the semi-finals of the play-offs. Mert Kömür and Germany U19s also failed to qualify for the U19 European Championship in Northern Ireland.
Off the pitch: With World Water Day, FCA launched their first-ever “Green Week,” focusing on a different topic from the field of environmental and climate protection each day. The “Green Week” culminated in a themed matchday against 1. FC Köln, which featured various initiatives and activities in this area, making the topics tangible and engaging.
Transfer news: FC Augsburg tied down Michael Ströll to a new deal during the international break. The club’s CEO, who has been at FCA for almost 18 years, signed a new contract until 30th June 2029.
As part of FCA's new organisational structure, further changes were made in the sports department. Former player Christoph Janker, previously serving as Head of the First Team, took on the role of Technical Director. Additionally, Babacar Wane joined FC Augsburg as their new Chief Scout.
